collaboration

Last month, I posted photos I took for my friend Jen V who launched her skincare and makeup business. This weekend she hired me again to take pictures of two make up looks for her website and portfolio. The first being a natural/casual look, the second being a "smokey eye." It was so much fun! I love how these pictures turned out and hope that this is the beginning of lots of collaboration in the future. How great to be able to partner with a talented makeup artist for portrait sessions.

the rose show

Yesterday, the Golden Gate Rose Society held its Annual Rose Show in Golden Gate Park. I went picturing rows upon rows of huge bouquets or who knows, maybe whole rose bushes? I was pretty sure I'd seen an Orchid Show in a movie once (Adaptation?) which believe may have colored my expectations: Hothousey. Lush. Fragrant.

Well, here's a peek at the GGRS's event:

After walking thorough a bit, however, I was really amazed at the beauty and variety. Also, thought about the behind the scenes DRAMA. These were all cut roses. Imagine the the tension of having to select one rose for submission that has to be perfect exactly ON SATURDAY JUNE 15th. Following are more pics from the event. I did no color adjusting to any of these.

My vote for Randomest Category:

Sweet little roses, "miniflora":

Pretty black-tipped roses:

I thought the duct tape was a nice touch. Also my second favorite category, which is hard to read online: "Any Other Rose"

More miniflora:

The Queen and her King:

 The grand finale:

mission

I know. This is becoming the Lensbaby Spark Blog... Or the Mission Blog. Anyway, out and about again in the Mission.  First of all, I'm kind of obsessed with the building that will be the new Alamo Drafthouse and the adjacent Giant Value building which is also going to be updated to condos. Cool interior shots of the theater here.  Some pictures from today below. It was a little too bright when I was out for getting a picture of the tall New Mission sign.

See? Too bright.

Also nearby, more 99 cent theme... 

 And this near Bruno's...

I have also been going back to the Mission Hotel to work on focus with the Spark. Hotel originally posted here, with some out of focus-ness that was giving me heartburn.

And in color:

And some more walking around scenes...

portrait session - Jen V

So a friend of mine did that thing you always think of doing: she quit her day job to follow her real passion and start her own business. Jen left management consulting behind, got educated and certified in skin and beauty treatments, and is now open for business. I was super happy when she asked me to take some pictures for her social media presence - twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc. etc. The pictures below were taken in and near her Presidio Heights treatment room. Since then, I had a makeup consultation/lesson with her and it was invaluable! I learned so much and she is so knowledgeable and passionate about skin and beauty. If you need a facial treatment or a makeup session, look Jen up!

(415) 503-9017
http://www.jvskinandbeauty.com

 

lensbaby spark - horse

Here are some pictures I took of a horse. Lensbaby Spark again.

lensbaby spark

I mentioned a couple of posts ago that my existing EF-S lenses are left behind with my upgrade to a full frame Canon 6D. Fortunately, the 50mm lens I've had and loved for years still works... but I definitely need something with some more reach for portraits, and something to go a bit wider. So I stare, and stare and stare at the Canon Lens lineup page.  I read every customer review between the 85mm and 100mm on Amazon (currently leaning towards 85mm). And then go back and forth on a 28mm or hey, why not just buy another camera?

And what do I do after all that? I buy another 50mm lens. But wait, it's sort of justifiable! I went to a demo for the LensBaby Spark at Calumet and figured it might be an inexpensive way to get more creative. This is an odd little lens that you focus by pulling on and tilting the accordion shape body. You focus on only one area and there is a nice blurred effect on the edges. So, for less than 100 bucks I have a new lens to play with. I'm going to go ahead and give it a thumbs up.

The below are from my first day walking around with the lens.  Focusing is a bit of a skill to be mastered. I do have to say it makes you think more about composition because you only are going to have one area in focus. Also important to note, it's fixed at 50mm and at f/5.6, so not incredibly versatile, but I haven't run into problems with that yet. This gets me all kinds of excited about taking more photos around San Francisco and the Mission. It is haunting me that the TEL in Hotel are not more in focus in the first shot, I'll have to go back (UPDATE: I did).